Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) has been used to explain how mechanisms related to socialization, sexual objectification, and psychological variables interact to predict mental health difficulties. Among a sample of 626 undergraduate women (age 18-24), this study empirically tested components of Moradi and Huang’s (2008) model and extended it by including additional socialization experiences (i.e., sexual abuse, societal pressures regarding weight and body size). Structural equation modeling analyses suggested that the model provided a good fit to the data and the model was tested in the confirmatory sample. Across the two samples, high levels of Body Shame and low levels of Internal Bodily Awareness directly led and high levels of Societal Pressures Regarding Weight and Body Size, Internalization of Cultural Standards of Beauty, and Self-objectification indirectly led to increased Bulimic Symptomatology and accounted for 65 to 73% of the variance in Bulimic Symptomatology. A history of sexual abuse and sexual objectification were not consistently supported within the model and do not appear to be as salient as the experience of societal pressures regarding weight and body size in understanding women’s experience of bulimic symptomatology. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Physical activity has multiple health benefits, however, physical activity can also lead to the development of excessive exercise, disturbed eating patterns, negative body image and social physique anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between social physique anxiety (SPA), physical activity type, frequency of physical activity, and motives to exercise. Participants were female undergraduates (N=108) enrolled at the University of Victoria. Female students were recruited from Exercise, Physical and Health Education classes that were open to all students from different faculties. A cross-sectional survey assessed social physique anxiety, frequency of physical activity and motives for exercise as well as dividing students according to physical activity type (Varsity, Intramural, High Strenuous Exerciser, Low Strenuous Exerciser). An analysis of variance revealed no association between SPA and physical activity type. Additionally, correlations showed that SPA and frequency of physical activity was not significant. Interestingly, SPA was significant for all motives that include Interest (r=-.371, p<.01), Competence (r=-.330, p<.01), Appearance (r=.430), Fitness (r=-.215, p<.05), and Social (r=-.406, p<.01). A linear regression revealed that only Appearance and Social motives predicted SPA. / Graduate / 0573 / 0347 / 0566 / fawniar@uvic.ca

Physical activity has multiple health benefits, however, physical activity can also lead to the development of excessive exercise, disturbed eating patterns, negative body image and social physique anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between social physique anxiety (SPA), physical activity type, frequency of physical activity, and motives to exercise. Participants were female undergraduates (N=108) enrolled at the University of Victoria. Female students were recruited from Exercise, Physical and Health Education classes that were open to all students from different faculties. A cross-sectional survey assessed social physique anxiety, frequency of physical activity and motives for exercise as well as dividing students according to physical activity type (Varsity, Intramural, High Strenuous Exerciser, Low Strenuous Exerciser). An analysis of variance revealed no association between SPA and physical activity type. Additionally, correlations showed that SPA and frequency of physical activity was not significant. Interestingly, SPA was significant for all motives that include Interest (r=-.371, p<.01), Competence (r=-.330, p<.01), Appearance (r=.430), Fitness (r=-.215, p<.05), and Social (r=-.406, p<.01). A linear regression revealed that only Appearance and Social motives predicted SPA. / Graduate / 0573 / 0347 / 0566 / fawniar@uvic.ca

Fictional narratives of 68 female undergraduates classified as either high or low on sex-guilt were rated for libidinal content following subliminal exposure to either a sex-related or a neutral stimulus. Separate dependent measures were obtained for libidinal derivatives bearing either a transparently "close" or a symbolically "distant" relationship to the sex-related stimulus. Subjects in the sex-related stimulus condition expressed significantly fewer close libidinal derivatives than subjects in the neutral condition. High sex-guilt subjects' distant derivative production revealed a near-significant trend toward repression in the neutral condition, but the greatest amount of expression in the sex-related condition. Type of defenses employed are discussed as a function of subliminally perceived stimulus threat.